Insulator unit cleaning machine



1967 Y J. G. PAHL ETAL I 3,306,309,

INSULA'IOR UNIT CLEANING MACHINE Filed Dec. 8, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS fa/m a, PAHL BY 3714/. E PAHL WWW 1957 J. G- PAHL ETAL INSULATOR UNIT CLEANING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 8, 1964 m Qm Q Jmw mm an" e u F831 1957 J. G. PAHL ETAL v INSULATOR UNIT CLEANING MACHINE 4 Shets-Sheet 3- Filed De c.

J. G. PAHL ETAL 3,306,309

INSULATOR UNIT CLEANING MACHINE Feb. 28, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 8, 1964 United States Patent Ofifice 3,306,309 Patented Feb. 28, 1967 3,306,309 INSULATOR UNIT CLEANING MACHINE John G. Pahl, 1624 E. Alpine Ave., Stockton, Calif. 95205, and Emil F. Pahl, 1025 Edan Ave., Stockton, Calif. 95207 Filed Dec. 8, 1964., Ser. No. 416,749 1 Claim. (Cl. 134-80) This invention relates to insulator units of the type employed, for example, in a pole top switch interposed in a high-tension electric line.

Each such insulator unit comprises a circular insulator shell having a central dome projecting from one face thereof, and a central socket opening from the opposite face and extending into the dome; there being a metal connector having a bell at one end adapted'to fit over the dome in clearance relation. When securing the insulator shell to the metal connector, a quantity of cement is placed in the bell and--after a relatively small protective sheet of cardboard or the like is fitted over the dome to rest on the shell-the bell is pressed onto the dome. When this is done, a certain amount of the cement is squeezed from between the dome and the mouth of the bell to form an exposed bead of cement thereabout and on said cardboard sheet; the latter preventing the cement head from adhering to the adjacent surface of the insulator shell. Such cement bead and the cardboard sheet must be removed from the insulator unit before it is in condition for use.

It is, therefore, the major object of this invention to provide a machine by means of which the cement bead as well as the cardboard sheet are quickly and completely removed from each such insulator unit, and the latter thus cleaned.

A further object of this invention is to provide a machine, for the purpose described, so constructed that a substantial number of insulator units to be cleaned may be accommodated on the machine at one time, even though the units are individually and successively subjected to the cleaning action. Also, the machine is arranged to deliver the cleaned insulator units from the cleaning zone in single-file order so that such cleaned units may be readily removed and other units still to be cleaned placed instead on the machine.

The cleaning action is eflected by a very high-pressure water jet, and another object of the invention is to construct the machine-which includes a turntable-in such a manner that even though the insulator units are continuously moving into and out of the cleaning zone, there is no likelihood of water being sprayed into the open or onto the operator stationed to place the insulator units on and to remove the same from the machine.

A further object of the inventionis to provide an insulator unit cleaning machine which is designed for ease and economy of manufacture, and convenience of use.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a practical, reliable, and durable insulator unit cleaning machine and one which is exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects are accomplished by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claim.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the improved insulator unit cleaning machine.

FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation of the machine taken substantially on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional elevation of the machine, also taken substantially on line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional elevation taken on line 44 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional plan view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings and to the characters of reference marked thereon, the insulator unit to be cleaned comprises an insulator shell I having a central dome 2 projecting from one face thereof; the dome 2 forming a socket 3 open to the opposite face of the shell. The insulator unit also includes a galvanized metal connector 4 formed on its inner end with a bell 5 which seats over the dome 2 in concentric but clearance relation; the space between the dome 2 and hell 5 being filled with a cement 6. Prior to the placing and cementing of the bell 5 on the dome 2, a square but centrally apertured protective or catch sheet 7 of cardboard is placed on the shell 1 about the dome 2. When the bell 5 is pressed onto the dome 2, a certain amount of the cement 6 extrudes from under the lower edge or mouth of the bell, and accumulates on the sheet 7 in the form of a bead 8.

The purpose of the instant machine is to clean the insulator unit by removal of the cement head 8 as well as the cardboard sheet 7; the machine being constructed as follows:

A stationary rigid shaft 9 upstands from and is secured on a base structure 10; the shaft at its upper end being engaged by a collar 11 from which a pair of arms 12 project horizontally at an acute angle to each other. At their outer ends, the arms are secured to the upper ends of posts 13 which are supported by and upstand from the base structure 10. Said posts 13 are connected intermediate their ends by a bar 14, and at the top by a bar unit 15 which between its ends is of inwardly facing channel form. It will be noted that the arms 12, posts 13, bar 14, and bar unit 15 may be considered as constituting the frame of the machine.

Turnable on the shaft 9 and extending from 'a point immediately under the collar 11 to a point some distance above the lower end of said shaft is a sleeve 16 which is supported at its lower end on an anti-friction bearing 17 which rests on a collar 18 fixed on the shaft. A circular table 19 surrounds and is secured to the sleeve 16 in concentric relation thereto; said table having an upstanding peripheral flange 20 thereabout.

Some distance radially inward from its periphery, the table 19 is formed as a depending well 21 of inverted fru'sto-conical form and concentric with the sleeve; said well 21 being open at its lower end and terminating a slight distance below the bearing 17 as shown in FIG. 2. The table, at a point substantially midway between its periphery and the inception of the well 21, is stiffened or braced by a circular angle iron member 22 thereunder; said member facing outwardly and upwardly. The table as a whole is rigidly supported from the sleeve 16 by means of spokes 23 which extend across the well near the upper end thereof Turnably mounted in the member 22 and the table 19 thereabove are upstanding spindle units 24 which are arranged in evenly spaced relation in a circular row about the table as shown in FIG. 1. For the purpose of supporting an insulator unit, each spindle unit 24 extends upwardly from the table 19 some distance, and below the upper end each such spindle unit includes an enlarged disc 25 but which is of less diameter than the insulator shell 1. The disc 25 is covered by a cushion pad 26 of rubber or other similar material; the pad extending upwardly about the upper portion of the spindle unit 24 in the form of a sleeve 27 thereon. The diameter of sleeve 27 is such that it will frictionally fit the central socket 3 of the insulator shell 1.

Approximately half the area of the table 19 is exposed to the open, and the remaining portion is enclosed within 3 a stationary hood indicated generally at 28. This hood has a flat top 29 of arcuate form and of substantially the same width as the flat portion of the table 19, and disposed directly above the same. The hood 28 also includes an outer vertical wall 30 depending from and extending about the periphery of the top 29 for the full arcuate extent thereof, and of a diameter to project with a clearance fit inside the table flange 20 as shown in FIG. 2. The wall 30, for the central portion of its extent, supports an arcuate shield 31 which overlies and encloses the adjacent portion of the table flange 20. The radially inner edge of the arcuate top 29 of the hood is connected to and supports a depending inner wall 32 which slopes radially inward to a termination about level with the table 19.

The hood top 29 is supported adjacent its outer edge and centrally of its length from the lower flange of the bar unit 15, and toward its ends said top is secured to angle irons 33 which in turn are secured to an angle bar 34 which extends under and is secured to the arms 12; the angle bar 34 being parallel to the bar unit 15.

Some distance back from its ends, the hood 28 supports curtain units 35, each of which is mounted in a frame 36 secured to the walls of the hood. The curtain units 35 are made of a suitable flexible waterproof material; each curtain unit being comprised of two horizontally separate curtain sections with a full-length split 37 therebetween as shown in FIG. 4. The curtain sections are connected from side to side 'at the top by the frame 36, but are free along their bottom edges so that the curtain sections may separate at the split to allow of the passage of the spindle units 24 and insulator units supported thereon, as the table rotates. Similar curtain units, indicated generally at 35a, are mounted at the ends of the hood as shown in FIG. 1.

In order to intermittently rotate the table 19 through arcuate steps each of a length equal to the spacing between adjacent spindle units 24, the following arrangement, particularly shown in FIG. 5, is provided:

Pivoted at its outer end as at 38 on the bar 14 radially out from the table bracing member 22 and near the adjacent post 13, is a hydraulic double-acting power cylinder 39; the latter having a stroke equal to the straightline distance between adjacent spindles 24. The power cylinder 39 extends tangentially of the member 22 at the level of the portions of the spindle units 24 exposed below the table 19, and is yieldably held against the back of the member 22 by a spring 40 connected to the bar 14 and to an arm 41 rigid with the cylinder at its pivoted end. The piston rod 42 of the cylinder is provided with a head 43 having a hook 44 to engage over a spindle unit 24; such hook facing generally toward the pivoted end of the cylinder, and formed with a sloping edge 45 which at its outer forward end terminates radially out from the central path of the spindle units.

When the piston rod 42 is fully retracted, the hook 44 is engaged with a spindle unit 24, and the table 19 is at the advanced end of a rotative step. As the piston rod is advanced, the hook 44 leaves such engaged spindle unit 24, and the adjacent end of the sloping edge 45 of the head 43 engages and rides on the back face of the member 22 until said edge engages and rides over the next spindle unit 24 and the hook engages the same. The piston rod 42 is then at the end of its advancing stroke, ready for the next retracting movement'with the accompanying rotative step of the table. During the advancing movement of the piston rod from the cylinder, movement of the table in either direction is prevented by a yieldable spring-pressed brake device 46 mounted on the bar 14 and engaging the radially inner face of the member 22.

Each spindle unit 24, in turn, at the end of a table rotating step, is disposed under the hood 28 midway between the curtain units 35; said curtain units 35 being spaced apart circumferentially of the table a distance sufficient to completely enclose a certain number of said spindle units 24- and the insulator units mounted thereon as shown-when the table is in a stationary position and at which time said curtain units 35 are closed. Also,- each curtain unit 35 is spaced suificiently from the ad-' jacent curtain unit 35a to allow a spindle unit and supported insulator unit to be wholly disposed between said curtain units when the curtain unit 35 is closed.

In order to clean each and every spindle unit sup= ported insulator unit in turn and as the same is disposed in a position centrally between the curtain units 35, a high-pressure water jet nozzle 47 projects into the hood 28 through the wall 30 radially of said centrally disposed insulator unit and on a level with the sheet 7, as shown in FIG. 3. The water jet nozzle 47 is engaged by a surrounding flexible waterproof washer 48 mounted on the wall 30, and said nozzle is connected to a length of rigid tubing 49 supported by a vertically adjustable arm assembly 50 depending from the bar unit 15 and by means of which assembly the nozzle 47 may be set to discharge of the jet stream against the insulator unit at the exact level and angle desired.

Water is continuously fed to the nozzle 47 at a very high pressure, when the machine is in operation, by means of a suitable pump (not shown). At the same time the hydraulic fluid for the cylinder 39 is suitably controlled to cause the piston rod 42 to be continuously reciprocated at an even predetermined speed. The individual insulator units are thus successively moved into and then past the jet stream, with a dwell of each insulator unit in the jet stream of a duration the same as the time it takes for the piston rod to move through its outward stroke. This gives the water jet ample time to thoroughly clean the insulator unit and-by reason of the high pressure of the jet streamto break the cement bead 8 loose from the bell 5 and the sheet 7, and to cause both to be disintegrated and swept away from and clear of the insulator unit.

This cleaning action is aided by the fact that as each insulator unit is approaching its central or dwell posi tion, it is disposed so that the jet stream engages said unit in tangential relation thereto. This causes the ro= tatably supported insulator unit to rapidly turn, and it will continue to turn even after reaching said central or dwell position.

The water from the jet stream and the debris carried thereby are caught by a curved back plate 51 which overhangs the well 21 so that such water and debris drop into the well. The well discharges into a sloping trough 52 mounted in a fixed position below the well, and which trough is provided with a diagonal screen 53 across its low end to prevent solid matter from flowing into the normally closed drain pipe 54, or the normally open overflow pipe 54a, leading from the trough. Since the well is turna-ble along with the table and is liable to drain from all points about the shaft 9, the trough is extended beyond said shaft, and the latter projects through a sleeve-surrounded opening 55 in the bottom of the trough; the sleeve being closely surrounded by a tubular skirt 56 depending from the collar 18. The portion of the well 21 which is outside the hood 28 is covered by a separate hood 57 secured to the adjacent end portions of said hood 28.

After each insulator unit has been cleaned as hereinbefore described, and before it emerges from under the hood 28, such insulator unit is subjected, while in the chamber 58 between the corresponding curtains 35 and 35a, to a rinsing action. This is effected by low pressure water jets discharged from a horizontal nozzle 59 projecting through the outer wall 30 in facing relation to the insulator unit, and from a downwardly facing nozzle 60 projecting through the top wall 29, as shown in FIG. 4. The water from these nozzles also drains into the well 21 and thence into the trough 52.

In the operation of the machine, an operator stands at a station adjacent the exposed portion of the table 19 and,

at the outset of operations, places insulator units to be cleaned on the spindle units 24 as they move past such station. Each insulator unit, as so placed on a spindle unit 24, is disposed with the insulator shell 1 resting on pad 26 and with the sleeve 27 frictionally engaged in the socket 3 in dome 2. See FIG. 3.

When the cleaned and rinsed insulator units finally emerge one by one from between the parted curtains of the curtain unit 35a of the chamber 58, the operator removes such insulator units and replaces them with other such units to be cleaned.

It may here be noted that the use of the spaced curtain units 35 and 35a at each end portion of the hood 28 prevents any of the splashing water within the hood from escaping from such curtained end portions thereof, since one or the other of said curtain units is always closed.

It should also be noted that before the insulator units are cleaned in the present machine, they are conventionally subjected to a steam-oven operation to cure the the cement 6 but which operation additionally serves to pre-soften the cardboard sheets 7. Further, if necessary, the cement beads 8 can be pre-cracked by application of a manual tool.

It will further be noted that with the removal of the cement beads 8 and the sheets 7 from the insulator units a clear space is advantageously left between the surface of shell 1 and adjacent edge of bell 5 as shown at 61 in FIG. 4.

From the foregoing description, it will be readily seen that there has been produced such an insulator unit cleaning machine as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention, as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the insulator unit cleaning machine, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention, the following is claimed as new and useful and upon which Letters Patent is desired:

In a machine to clean generally cylindrical insulator units each having a 'base and a circular axial socket opening centrally through the base and extending upwardly therefrom, a rotary table, means freely rotatably supporting the insulator units in an upstanding position and in evenly spaced relation on the table for movement thereby successively to the same predetermined point upon rotation of the table, a nozzle positioned adjacent the table and operative to discharge a high pressure water jet in a direction to impinge substantially tangentially against and impart rotation to each insulator unit approaching said predetermined point; said unit supporting means comprising, for each insulator unit, a spindle freely rotatably journaled in and upstanding from the table, and a disc fixed on the spindle supporting the base of the insulator unit, a portion of the spindle extending above the disc and frictionally but removably engaging in the socket of said base-supported insulator unit.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 910,882 1/1909 Truesdell 134-138 X 1,197,324 9/1916 Wn'ght 1l8-319 X 1,428,491 9/ 1922 Musgrave l3480 X 1,824,993 9/1931 Herold et al. 134138 2,078,699 4/ 1937 Taylor et al. 13481 2,574,069 11/1951 Stanley 134-141 3,070,103 12/1962 Pickard et a1. 134-139 X FOREIGN PATENTS 529,069 8/ 1956 Canada. 1,113,465 3/1956 France. 1,284,658 1/ 1962 France.

232,182 8/ 1944 Switzerland.

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.

R. L. BLEUTGE, Assistant Examiner. 

